Nigeria Secures 10 Golds, Finishes Seventh at Commonwealth

Nigeria concluded its campaign at the Commonwealth Games, finishing seventh with a total of 10 gold, 7 silver, and 7 bronze medals. This performance was below the record-breaking 35 medals won at Birmingham 2022, which included 12 gold.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) had projected that Team Nigeria could achieve a historic outing, aiming for 18 gold medals under the Elite Athletes Podium Finish initiative, a target attributed to reforms by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and support from President Bola Tinubu. Despite not meeting the target, Nigeria showcased strong performances, particularly in athletics, weightlifting, judo, swimming, para athletics, and para powerlifting.

Highlights included Samuel Ogazi becoming Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Games champion in the men’s 400m with a time of 44.25 seconds, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi winning gold in the men’s shot put with a throw of 21.07 metres. The NSC also introduced financial incentives for medalists, rewarding gold, silver, and bronze medallists with $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000, respectively.